John “Jack” Francis Ferry Sr., 88, died February 10, 2023, in Ocean Pines, Maryland. He was the husband of the late Mary (Ortwein) for 68 years. Born in Bethlehem, he was a son of the late Patrick and Stella (Volk) Ferry.

He attended Holy Infancy Grade and Bethlehem Catholic High Schools. He was a 1952 graduate of Bethlehem H.S.

He was a Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed at the Bethesda Naval Medical Center, Maryland, and was aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ticonderoga.

He worked for the former Bethlehem Steel Company and began as a scaleman laborer. He retired on 1985 as the general foreman of the rolling mills. He then worked at Kaumagraph Corporation Wilmington, Delaware. He and his wife owned and operated the Fountain Hill Cleaners.

He was a member of the Borough of Fountain Hill council for 18 years and was president for 14 years. While on the Council, he obtained a $3.5 million Federal grant for the construction of the senior citizens high rise. He was a president of Fountain Hill Exchange Club. He and his wife were volunteers for the United Rehabilitation Services, Hazelton; and the Worcester County Development Center, Maryland, where he was finance officer. He was awarded the Fountain Hill Legion Distinguished Service and Community Service Awards. He was a member of the American Legion Post 406, Fountain Hill, and was twice the Commander and a state chaplain.

He played baseball and basketball for Bethlehem Catholic High School, Bethlehem High School, the American Legion and the U.S. Navy. He coached for Catholic Youth Organization basketball and baseball, Fountain Hill Little League and Fountain Hill American Legion baseball.

He was a parishioner and a member of John Neumman Catholic Church, Ocean Pines, Maryland. He was previously a member of Saint Ursula’s, Fountain Hill, where he was a president of both the Catholic youth organization and the Holy Name Society. He was a member of Holy Infancy in Bethlehem, in his youth, and was as an altar boy.

He is survived by six children, John Jr. (Cathy Gallagher), Kathleen Sweet, Karen Neglia (late Frank), Jeffrey (Carmen), Marguerite Picucci (Michael) and Patrick (Colette); 12 grandchildren; nine great-grand children; and three generations of nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by six siblings, William, Dorothy Sherer, Joseph, Mary Kortvely, Patrick and Bernard.

Contributions may be made to Worcester County Development Center, 8545 Newark Road, Newark, MD 21841.

Arrangements were made by Cantelmi Long Funeral Home Inc., Bethlehem.